If America defaults on its debt this week, it won't be the first economic superpower to do so. Imperial Spain was a chronic defaulter in the 16th and 17th centuries, and this helped lead to its downfall.

Belgium is on the brink of forming a coalition government after more than 500 days of wrangling. The problem has largely been a north-south divide, one that looks like a microcosm of the north-south divide in the Eurozone.

If America defaults on its debt this week, it won't be the first economic superpower to do so. Imperial Spain was a chronic defaulter in the 16th and 17th centuries, and this helped lead to its downfall.

Belgium is on the brink of forming a coalition government after more than 500 days of wrangling. The problem has largely been a north-south divide, one that looks like a microcosm of the north-south divide in the Eurozone.

If America defaults on its debt this week, it won't be the first economic superpower to do so. Imperial Spain was a chronic defaulter in the 16th and 17th centuries, and this helped lead to its downfall.

Belgium is on the brink of forming a coalition government after more than 500 days of wrangling. The problem has largely been a north-south divide, one that looks like a microcosm of the north-south divide in the Eurozone.